Mexico Heats Up for World Cup... 9,500 Gather for World's Largest Soccer School at Zocalo Square

As anticipation for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup grows, soccer fever is heating up in Mexico. In this atmosphere, the world's largest soccer school was held in Mexico City, setting a new Guinness World Record.

On March 17, Yonhap News, citing major international outlets such as the Associated Press, reported that 9,500 people participated in a group soccer training event held for about 40 minutes at the Z?calo Square in the center of Mexico City, achieving the record for the "world's largest soccer school." This new record is more than nine times larger than the previous record set in June 2025 in Seattle, USA, where 1,038 people participated.

The world's largest soccer school was held in Mexico City, setting a Guinness World Record. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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Alfredo Arista Rueda, the Guinness World Records adjudicator, officially confirmed the achievement of the new record at the end of the event. Clara Brugada, Mayor of Mexico City, stated, "Sports and soccer are a universal language of peace that needs no translation," adding, "I hope this record will serve as an opportunity to unite our citizens."

This event was organized as part of Mexico City's 'Social World Cup' campaign. In particular, anticipation is growing for the Azteca Stadium, which is scheduled to host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

This event was organized as part of Mexico City's 'Social World Cup' campaign. In particular, anticipation is growing for the Azteca Stadium, which is scheduled to host the opening match of the 2026 World Cup. Photo by AP Yonhap News

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Azteca Stadium is recognized as an iconic venue in World Cup history. In the 1970 tournament, Brazil's Pele lifted the championship trophy here, and in the 1986 event, Argentina's Diego Maradona did the same. If the opening match of the 2026 tournament is held here as planned, Azteca Stadium will become the first stadium to host the FIFA World Cup three times.

The 2026 North and Central America World Cup will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, kicking off at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on June 12 and running through July 20. However, despite the festive atmosphere, concerns over public safety remain. Last month, after the Mexican military killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), a series of retaliatory crimes ensued, causing one of the host cities, Guadalajara, to be paralyzed for a time. In response, President Claudia Sheinbaum emphasized her commitment to strengthening public security and ensuring safety. According to Reuters, some citizens are expressing both excitement for the World Cup and concerns about recent instability in public safety.

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